1 






S9I 



THE 



STRANGER'S GUIDE, 



THE DAGUERREOTYPE 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 



COMPILED BY 

E. S, STREETER 



C. ALEXANDER, PRINTER. 
1850. 



fat 






PREFACE. 

author of this little work having had some experience 

lling, and finding it very difficult in some instances 

ire that source of information so desirable to a travel- 

n he enters a strange city, has come to the conclusion 

•aguerreotype Guide to the City of Washington would 

ry desirable work ; and having had two years' experi- 

j a resident, feels himself somewhat prepared to pre- 

ch a work to the public ; and in doing so, he takes 

portunity tu acknowledge his obligation (for a part of 

ice of iiifoi. nation imbodied in this little work) seve- 

Robert Mills, Architect; Watterson's Guide, and the 

of the Corporation. He therefore presents it to the 

hoping it will meet with that approbation which its 

ance demands. 



CONTENTS. 

Washington City, with some of its Laws - - - 5 

Singular documents - 15 

Capitol of the U. S. ..-----17 

President's House -------- 20 

Treasury Department -------21 

General Land Office 21 

General Post Office ^ 

State, War, and Navy Departments . - - - 22 

Patent Office - ^ 

Smithsonian Institute --25 

U. S. Observatory ------- 28 

Washington Monument -- 28 

Congressional Burial Ground ------ 29 

Navy Yard -------- 

Arsenal -------- 

Penitentiary -------- 

City Hall - - - 

City Post Office ------- 

County Jail -------- 

Odd-Fellows' Hall ------- 

Appendix— Georgetown ------ 

Alexandria ------- 

Mount Vernon ------- 



THE 

CITY OF WASHINGTON 



The seat of the Government of the United States, 
is located on the Maryland shore of the Potomac 
River, in latitude 38° 52' north, longitude 0°, and 
called after the name of its founder, General George 
Washington, who in pursuance to an act of Con- 
gress passed on the 16th day of July, 1790, (then 
held at New York) as President, selected this site 
for the temporary and permanent seat of the Fed- 
eral Government of the United States; and hafl the 
city surveyed and laid out on a magnificent plan, 
suitable for the Capital of a great and powerful 
nation. This location lies in a part of what was 
once Charles County in the State of Maryland. By 
an act of the Maryland Legislature, a tract of land 
not exceeding ten miles square, was ceded to the 
United States for the seat of the Government, pas- 
sed December 23d, 1788. A similar act, by the 
Legislature of Virginia was passed December 3d, 
] 789. These acts were approved of by Congress 
in *New York assembled on the 16th day of July, 
1790. In section 2 of the said act we find recorded : 
And be it enacted, That the President of the United 
States be authorized to appoint, and by supplying 
vacancies happening from refusals to act, or other 
causes, to keep in appointment, as long as may be 

*The seat of Government was subsequently held at Phila- 
delphia, from whence it was removed in 1800 to Washing- 
ton. 



D DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

necessary, three commissioners, who, or any two 
of whom, shall, under the direction of the Presi- 
dent, survey, and, by proper metes and bounds, 
define and limit a district of territory, under the 
limitations above mentioned ; and the district so 
defined, limited, and located, shall be deemed the 
district accepted by this act, for the permanent seat 
of the Government of the United States. 

This was amended in March 3d, 1791, so as to 
define the limits of the District. 

The bounds of the district were defined by Gen- 
eral Washington, and are as follows : 

Beginning at Jones' point, being the upper cape 
of Hunting Creek, in Virginia, and at an angle in 
the outset of 45 degrees west of the north, and run- 
ning in a direct line ten miles for the first line ; 
then beginning aa;ain at the same Jones' point, and 
running another direct line at a right angle with 
the hrst, across the Potomac, ten miles for the 
second line ; then from the terminations of the said 
first and second lines, running two other direct lines 
of ten miles each, the one crossing the Eastern 
Branch, and the other the Potomac, and meeting 
each other in a point. Thus were run the bound- 
ary lines of the District of Columbia, containing the 
three cities of Washington, Alexandria and George- 
town. On the 24th of January, 1791, three Com- 
missioners were appointed who proceeded to the 
task, and bedded the corner stone at Jones' Point 
the 15th of April of the same year, after which they 
surveyed and laid out the plan of the city. Deeds 
of trust were granted by the original proprietors, 
(Daniel Carroll, Notely Young, David Burns, and 

* By act of Congress, passed February 3d, 1S46, all that 
portion of the district lying in the county of Alexandria, and 
south of the Potomac, "was ceded back to the State of Vir- 
ginia. 



WASHINGTON". / 

Samuel Davidson.) to Thomas Beal of George, and 
John M. Ganft, by which they conveyed all their 
lands within the proposed limits for a Federal City, 
to be laid out into such streets, squares, parcels 
and lots as the President of the United States 
should approve. 

One half of this land (exclusive of streets) was 
thus appropriated to the use of the Government, 
for which it was to pay twenty-five pounds per 
acre out of the proceeds of the sales of lots thus 
received ; the other half remaining in the hands of 
the original proprietors. 

The city, lying on the junction of the Potomac 
River, and the Anacostia or Eastern Branch, ex- 
tends about four and a half miles from south-east 
to north-west, and about two and a half miles 
from east to south-west. Its circumference is four- 
teen miles. The aggregate length of the streets 
is one hundred and ninety-nine miles-, and of the 
avenues sixty-five miles. The whole area of the 
squares is three thousand and sixteen acres, exclu- 
sive of streets, and open spaces, and public reser- 
vations. It is divided into squares, by streets 
running north and south, east and west, which are 
again intersected by diagonal avenues leading from 
one section of the city to the other. The streets 
running north and south are named numerically, 
those east and west alphabetically, the avenues bear 
the name of the different states ; width of avenues 
from 120 to 160 feet, width of streets from 40 to 147 
feet. There are several public reservations and 
open spaces, some of which were caused by the 
intersection of the streets with the avenues, all of 
which serve to give a free circulation of air through 
the city. The main and most business street is 
Pennsylvania avenue, running the whole length of 
the city, from the Eastern Branch to Rock Creek, 



8 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

(which divides Washington from Georgetown) 
which is paved, a portion of its length, and the rest 
macadamized, except the extreme east end. Most 
of the business of Washington is done between the 
Capitol and the President's house. 

On the first Monday in December, 1800, the seat 
of the Federal Government was removed to the 
District of Columbia, at the close of the adminis- 
tration of John Adams, and on the 27th of Febru- 
ary, 1801, Congress assumed jurisdiction over the 
district, under the administration of Thos. Jeffer- 
son, of Virginia. In May, 1802, Washington 
was incorporated as a city, and governed by a 
Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The first election 
of the City Councils was held on Monday, June 
17th, 1802. The Mayor was appointed by the 
President, and empowered to appoint to all offices 
under the Corporation. In 1804, a supplement to 
the charter was granted, and amended in 1812. In 
February, 1819, and February, 1820, were two 
additional acts passed relating to the charter. In 
May, 1820, a new charter was granted to be in 
force for 20 years, and now the City of Washing- 
ton is living under its third charter. 

The population of the city in 1840, was : Free 
whites, 16,843; Free colored, 4,808; Slaves, 1,713; 
Total, 23,364. In 1850, there is an estimated 
population of 40,000. 

The enterprise of Washington is somewhat lim- 
ited, owing, probably, to the small commercial 
advantages it possesses, though ships of a large 
class may enter its harbor, but there being but little 
back country, her trade is confined within her own 
limits ; her support is, in a very great measure, 
dependent on the appropriations of the Govern- 
ment; notwithstanding, some little enterprise has 
been attempted. A few years since an extensive 



WASHINGTON. if 

Glass House was in operation, large quantities 
were made, and considered equal to any in the 
country. Also, a Brewery, whose malt liquors 
were held in high reputation, but they have both 
ceased operations. Some day, (it is to be hoped 
not far distant) there may be a good business done 
in coal-dealing between this and Cumberland, by 
means of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. 

There are numerous churches and schools, both 
public and private, in a prosperous condition. The 
colleges are, the Columbian, situated on a com- 
manding elevation, a little north of the city bounds; 
this is a Baptist Institution, and the Georgetown 
college, a Roman Catholic Institution, situated in 
Georgetown. Students of different denominations 
enter these colleges. There are a great number 
of Hotels, several of which are of the largest class; 
all seem to be well supported. One Theatre only is 
supported here; there are other places of occasional 
amusement. There are numerous associations and 
benevolent Institutions, almost too numerous to- 
rehearse ; some of which, are, the Colonization, 
Columbia Typographical, Free Masons, Sons of 
Temperance, United Brothers, Improved Order of 
Red Men, and Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. 

There are four Banks, one of which is a Savings 
Bank. There are, also, three Insurance Compa- 
nies. 

The Corporation maintains an Aims-House for 
the assistance of the poor at an annual expense of 
near $5,000. 

It might not be uninteresting to note in this little 
work, some of the Corporation Laws. 1st. Taxes, 
for which real property may be sold. " Real pro- 
perty, whether improved or unimproved, in the 
city of Washington, on which one or more years' 
taxes shall have become due and remain unpaid > 



10 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

or on which any special tax, imposed by virtue 
of authority of the provisions of this act, shall 
have become due and remain unpaid, or so much 
thereof, not less than a lot, (when the property on 
which the tax has accrued is not less than that 
quantity.,) as may be necessary to pay any such 
taxes., with all interest, cost, and charges arising 
thereon, may be sold at public sale to satisfy the 
Corporation therefor." The above is an act, 
amendatory to an act, passed May 15th, 1820, 
part of section 10, providing for the collection of 
taxes. Further, that the purchaser of any such 
property at public sale, shall pay, at the time of 
sale., the amount of the taxes due on the property so 
purchased by him, with the amount of the expen- 
ses of sale, and he shall pay the residue of the 
purchase money within ten days after the expira- 
tion of two years from the day of sale, to the Re- 
gister of the City of Washington ; and the amount 
of such residue shall be placed in the city treasurjr, 
where it shall remain subject to the order of the 
original proprietor, or such other person as may 
be legally entitled to receive the same, and the 
purchaser shall, on the payment of the whole of 
the purchase money, receive a title in fee simple 
in, and to, the property so purchased, under the 
hand of the Mayor and seal of the Coloration, 
which shall be deemed good and valid in law and 
equity : — Provided, nevertheless, That if, within two 
years from the day of any such sale, or before the 
purchaser shall have paid the residue of the pur- 
chase money as aforesaid, the proprietor of any 
property which shall have been sold, as aforesaid, 
shall pay to such purchaser the moneys paid for 
the taxes and expenses as aforesaid, together with 
ten per centum per annum as interest thereon, or 
make a tender thereof, or shall deposite the same 



WASHINGTON". II 

in the hands of the Register of the city, for the 
use of such purchaser, and subject to his, or legal 
representatives' order, of which such purchaser 
shall be immediately informed by the Register, he 
shall be reinstated in his original right and title as 
if no such sale had been made ; — minors, mortga- 
gees, or others having eqixitable interest in real 
property so sold, shall be allowed one year after such 
minor's becoming of full age; or after such mort- 
gagees or others having equitable interests, obtain- 
ing possession of, or a decree for the sale of such 
property, to redeem the property, so sold, from 
the purchaser, on paying the amount of purchase 
money so paid therefor, with ten per centum inter- 
est thereon, as aforesaid, and all the taxes that 
have been paid by the purchaser between the day 
of sale and the period of redemption, with ten per 
centum interest on the amount of such taxes, and 
the full value of improvements which have been 
made, or erected, by the purchaser, while in his 
possession. 

2d. Assessment. — The property of the city is 
assessed every five years, by three assessors ap- 
pointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, 
who are sworn to assess it at what they believe to 
be the cash value of the property at the time of 
valuation ; no new building is to be taxed until the 
1st day of January, after its completion, or shall 
have become useful to the proprietor. 

Board of Assessors, to consist of one member 
from each ward, shall be elected by the qualified 
voters therein, to serve for two years. The per- 
son having the greatest number of legal votes in 
each ward, shall be duly elected assessor. On the 
first Monday of May next succeeding the first elec- 
tion of assessors under this act, the said Board, or 
a majority of the members thereof, shall meet in 



12 DAGUERREOTYPE OP 

the City Hall, and in the presence of the Mayor 
and Register, shall draw by lot, the names of three 
members thereof, if the number of wards be seven, 
or if the number of wards exceed seven, the names 
of one half, as near as may be, of the members of 
said Board, and the members whose names shall 
thus be drawn, shall thereupon cease to be mem- 
bers of said Board, and at the next general election 
a member shall be elected to serve for two years 
in each of the wards in which the members so 
drawn shall have been elected ; and at every regu- 
lar annual election thereafter in such wards as the 
time of the assessors is about to expire, an assessor 
shall be elected to serve for two years. A Board 
of Appeal has also been established. 

3d. A collector of taxes is elected like the other 
officers of the Corporation ; is required to give 
bonds of $15,000 with sureties, to be approved by 
the Mayor, for the faithful performance of his 
duty ; he is required to furnish a detailed bill of 
taxes to all tax payers, and to deposite monthly, 
the amounts collected by him in the Bank of Wash- 
ington. 

Dogs. — Every owner of a dog is required to ob- 
tain a license for the privilege of keeping such dog, 
for which he must pay two dollars for each male, 
and five dollars for each female, annually, under a 
penalty of not more than ten dollars for each of- 
fence. Each dog must have a collar around his 
neck with its owner's name, and if found going at 
large without one, he is liable to be killed. Dogs 
are prohibited following their masters to market, 
at any season of the year^ under a penalty of 
three dollars. 

All free persons of color, are required to exhibit 
.satisfactory evidence of their freedom to the Regis- 
ter, under the penalty of six dollars for every 



WASHINGTON. 13 

month they shall neglect to do so. If found play- 
ing at cards, dice, or other game of immoral ten- 
dency, or shall be present when such game is 
playing, shall be fined, not exceeding ten dollars. 
Not to have a dance, ball or assembly at his or her 
house without a permit from the Mayor, under a 
penalty of ten dollars. Not to be seen in the street 
after ten o'clock at night without a pass from some 
respectable citizen or magistrate, unless engaged 
in driving carriage, &c. If found drunk, or guilty 
of obscenity, swearing, &c, to be fined three dol- 
lars for each offence, and on refusing to pay, or 
securing to be paid the fine, to be sent to the work- 
house until the fine be paid, not exceeding six 
months. If unable to establish their title to free- 
dom, to be committed to jail as absconding slaves. 
Power is invested in the Mayor to discharge from 
imprisonment when evidence is furnished of their 
title to freedom. 

Slaves. — Slaves cannot reside in the city unless 
owned by a resident, or hired by a non-resident 
to an inhabitant, for which he must pay a tax of 
twenty dollars per annum, if a male, and two dol- 
lars if a female ; under a penalty of twenty dollars 
for each neglect. Slaves found offending against 
the laws, to be punished corporalhj with stripes, 
not exceeding thirty-nine. 

Gaming.- — All gaming tables, except licensed 
billiards, are forbidden, under a penalty of fifty 
dollars for every day such table, or device shall be 
kept. No person is allowed any kind of gaming 
in his or her house, under a penalty of fifty dol- 
lars for each offence ; and if a tavern or ordinary, 
they shall forfeit their license. 

Hawkers and Pedlars, not to sell without license, 
articles manufactured out of the city, for the privi- 
lege of which he shall pay $50, except perishable 
articles, which may be sold icithout license. 



14 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

Hogs, — No hogs are allowed to run in the street 
without a liability of being taken up for the benefit 
of the Alms-house. 

There are laws regulating Hackney Carriages 
and fare from point to point; no fare over 25 cents, 
(legally) from the Capitol square to any point be- 
tween it and 17th street, west. Greenleaf 's point, 
south, and the Navy Yard, east, except in case of 
detention of the carriage of more than five minutes, 
when an additional sum may be charged. A copy 
of regulations relating to Hackney Carriages, &c, 
are required to be hung up in carriages, taverns, 
ordinaries, &c, for the benefit of travelers, under 
a penalty of $6, for every week so neglected. No 
driver has a right to refuse to carry at the above 
rates, under a penalty of forfeiture and fine of ten 
dollars. 

Omnibus fare, from the Capitol to Georgetown, 
Navy Yard, and Steamboat landing, 65 cents. 

Steamboat fare to Alexandria, 12? cents. 



WASHINGTON. 15 



SINGULAR DOCUMENTS. 

The following very singular documents we copy 
verbatim, from Watterson's Guide to Washington, 
viz^ 

" These are extracts from old land patents, dated 
as far back as 1663 and 1681, and will be found 
curious and interesting. They show that the classi- 
cal name of Tiber* was given to the stream which 
now bears that name, and which was afterwards 
occasionally called Goose Creek; and that a portion 
of the site of the city was called Rome, both given, 
I have no doubt, by one of the patentees, from the 
circumstance of his bearing the name of Pope. " 

•"June the 5th, 1663 — Layd out for Francis Pope 
of this province, gentleman, a parcel of land in 
Charles county, called Room, lying on the east 
side of the Anacostian river beginning at a marked 
oak standing by the river side the bounded tree of 
Captain Robert Troop, and running north by the 
river for breadth, the length of two hundred perches 
to a bounded oak, standing at the mouth of a bay 
or inlett called Tiber, bounding on the north by the 
said let and line drawn east for the length of three 
hundred and twenty perches to a bounded oak 
standing in the woods on the east with a line 
drawn south from the end of the former line untill 
you meet with the exterior bounded tree of Robert 
Troop called Scotland Yard on the south with the 
said land, on the west with the said river, con- 
taining and now laid out for four hundred acres 
more or less." 

"June 5th, 1663 — Layd out for Captain Robert 

* Tiber is a small stream that makes through near the heart 
of the city. 

2 



16 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

Troop of this province a parcell of land in Charles 
county called Scotland Yard lying on the east side 
of the Anacostia river, beginning at a bounded 
hickory standing by the water side and running 
north by the river for breadth the length of two 
hundred and fifty perches to a bounded oak, bound- 
ing on the north with a line drawn east into the 
woods for the length of three hundred and twenty 
perches to a bounded oak on the east with a line 
drawn south from the end of the former line until 
you intersect a parallel line drawn from the first 
bounded hickory on the south with the said 
parallel on the west with the said river containing 
and now laid out for five hundred acres more or 
less." 

"By another instrument of writing, dated 5th 
of July, 1681, a patent was granted to one William 
Lang worth for a tract of land lying in Charles 
county, containing six hundred acres, which had 
been taken up by his father, and which is thus 
bounded." 

"The Widows Mite lyeing on the east side of the 
Anacostin river on the north side of a branch or 
inlett in the said river called Tyber. Beginning at a 
bounded ceder standing upon a point and running 
east north east for breadth up the said inlett to a 
bounded oak, the bound tree of Richard Pinner, 
for the length of one hundred ninety-two perches 
bounding in the east with a line drawn north from 
the said oake for the length of five hundred perches 
to a bounded oake on the north with a line drawn 
west from the end of the former line, the length of 
one hundred ninety-two perches, to a bounded 
oake that intersects a parallel line drawn south to 
the first bounded ceder on the west with the said 
parallel on the south with the said inlett, contain- 
ing and now laid out for six hundred acres more 
or less according to the certificat of survey thereof 



WASHINGTON. 17 

taken and returned into the land office of the citty 
of St. Maries, bearing date the tenth day of October 
one thousand six hundred sixty seven, and there 
remaining upon record together with all rights 
profits benefits and privileges thereunto belonging 
(Royale mines excepted.") 

M This would appear to have been the farm after- 
wards owned by David Burns, one of the original 
proprietors of the lands now occupied by the city. 
At that time this portion of Maryland was in Charles 
county; its capital the city of St. Mary's, and that 
part of the Potomac which bounds Washington to 
the west, was called Anacostia, the name after- 
wards given to the Eastern Branch." 



The Capitol of the United States is a lofty and 
magnificent edifice, located on an elevation, some 
80 feet above the tide water of the Potomac river. 
(The stranger, in approaching the city by railroad, 
at a distance of four miles first sees the lofty dome 
rising like a pyramid before him.) It is built of 
free stone, assimilated to Corinthian proportions. 
Its north wing was commenced by laying the 
corner stone, in presence of General Washington, 
September 18, 1793. The foundation of the main 
body was commenced March 24, 1818. The length 
of the front is 352 feet, depth of wings 121 feet, 
east projection and steps 65 feet, west projection 
and steps 83 feet, and covers 1- acres, exclusive of 
its circular enclosure or terrace. The height of the 
wings to the top of the balustrade is 70 feet, and to 
the top of the dome of the main body 140 feet. It 
was finished in 1827 at a cost of $1 .740,718. It is 
now proportionably complete, but Congress has 
strong talk of altering and enlarging it, that it may 
be more commodious for the transaction of public 
business, and when done, it will be one of (if not 



18 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

the largest building) for a similar purpose in the 
world, indeed, it is said now, to present the most 
splendid and imposing architectural mass in this or 
any other country for the same object. The eastern 
portico gives to this edifice a very grand and 
striking appearance, it extends the whole front of 
the centre or main body, the colonnade consists of 
24 massive Corinthian columns of stone, thirty feet 
high, and girth 9 feet 3 inches, and in fine taste, 
beautifully ornamented at the top with carved 
stone. The projection over the portico is ornamented 
with an allegorical group in alto relievo, designed 
by John duincy Adams, and executed by Signor 
Persico. The principal figure, elevated on a plat- 
form, represents the Genius of America, holding 
in her right hand a shield, with the letters U. S. A. 
inscribed on it, behind is a spear, her head is 
crowned Avith a star, and turned towards Hope, 
who stands on her left, with her elbow resting on 
the stock of an anchor, and holding in her hand a 
part of her drapery. America directs the attention 
of Hope to Justice standing on her right, holding the 
Constitution of the United States in her right hand, 
and in her left the scales. Near her is an Eagle in the 
act of winging his flight at the command of Amer- 
ica. All these figures are colossal, and wrought 
in sand-stone, and are beautiful representations of 
Genius ruling Industry, of Hope pointing to Heav- 
en, and Justice weighing the truth. Over the door 
to the entrance of the grand Rotundo, from the 
floor of this portico are two beautiful figures in 
stone, in the attitude of crowning with laurel, the 
bust of Washington. On each side of the entrance 
to the Rotundo is a figure of marble, one represent- 
ing War and the other Peace. Peace occupies a 
niche on the left of the entrance, and holds in her 
left hand a fruit-bearing; branch of the olive, ex- 



WASHINGTON. 19 

tending it towards War, while with her right she 
gracefully points to her bosom, thus indicating her 
sympathy for mankind ; her countenance beams 
with sweetness and kindness ; her form rests easily 
on her left foot, her right knee being a little con- 
tracted, and the whole figure beautifully draped. 
War, occupies a niche on the opposite side, in the 
attitude of listening to Peace ; his head is inclined 
towards his companion, one hand rests on his 
sword, and the other with his form, leans on his 
shield. He stands with firmness, yet at his ease, 
and his costume is that of the ancient Roman. The 
toga is thrown over his shoulders, with a kirtle 
extending to his knees, the border of which, with 
his belt, is richly ornamented with the symbols of 
the victims offered to him in sacrifice ; his coun- 
tenance is firm and sedate, without indication 
of rage or fury ; his whole form exhibits great 
strength, physical power, and activity. Both fig- 
ures are original, and intended to represent the idea 
of the people of the United States on the conditions 
of peace and war. These figures were all executed 
by Persico, by order of Congress. The south 
side of the staircase to the portico is ornamented 
with a group representing the discovery of Amer- 
ica ; another is now being executed in Italy, by 
Persico, to adorn the north case, representing the 
early settlement of this country. The west front 
of the Capitol is nearly as gorgeous and imposing 
as the east, but different. It overlooks the city 
from the brow of the hill on which it stands. Thus 
we end the external description of this noble edifice, 
the Capitol of our country. It is surrounded by 
beautifully ornamented grounds, comprising in all, 
30 acres, the whole enclosed with a substantial 
wrought iron fence. Total cost of building and 
grounds, $2,690,459 21, 



20 



DAGUERREOTYPE OF 



The Representatives' hall is 90 feet long, 62 wide, 
60 high; it is studded with 26 large columns of Poto- 
mac marble, or pudding stone, at a "Cost of $8,000 
each. Over the speaker's desk is a colossal figure 
of Liberty ; at her feet, is the American Eagle, 
(sculptured in stone) in the act of taking flight. 
Over the main entrance to the hall, stands a beau- 
tiful statue in marble, representing History on the 
Car of time, recording the events of the nation. 

The Senate chamber, is 75 feet long, 45 feet 
wide, and 45 feet high. This is also studded with 
32 small columns of Potomac marble. 

Both of these rooms are semi-circular, represent- 
ing somewhat an ancient Grecian Theatre. 

Congressional Library Room, 92 feet long by 
34 wide, and 36 high. 

Supreme Court Room, 45 feet diameter, 20 high. 



The President's, or White House, is one mile 
west of the Capitol, and located on an eminence 
44 feet above tide water of the Potomac ; it is built 
of white free-stone, and of Ionic proportions. The 
corner stone was laid on the 18th September, 1793; 
is 180 feet long; breadth in centre, 120 feet; ends, 80 
feet; two stories high above the base; of lofty dimen- 
sions. The north front is ornamented with a por- 
tico of four Ionic columns in front, (where foot- 
men enter from the side-walk) and a projection of 
three columns ; this intercolumnization is for car- 
riages to drive into and place visitors under shelter. 
In front is an ornamented yard of semi-circular 
form, at each corner of which are two iron gate- 
ways, one for carriages, the other for footmen. 
Tiie south side is ornamented with a semi-circular 
projecting colonnade of six columns, standing on a 
rusticated basement of stone, and is entered by two 
flights of winding steps. This front overlooks the 



WASHINGTON. 21 

promenade garden, which is beautifully ornament- 
ed with three artificial hillocks, forest trees, garden 
shrubbery, various flowers, blooming from early 
spring to late fall, and serpentine walks. The 
grounds of this mansion are surrounded, on the 
north by an iron fence ; on the west, by the War 
and Navy Departments ; on the south, by a sexan- 
gular stone wall ; and on the east, by the Treasury 
and State Departments, and contain about 20 acres. 



*The Treasury Department. — This edifice, 
like the General Post Office, was designed and 
erected by Robert Mills, also the remodeling and 
erection of the Patent Office. The design is Gre- 
cian Ionic. Corner stone was laid September 7, 
1836 ; length of present building, 336 feet, (when 
completed, 500,) depth at centre, 190 feet, which 
takes in a projection in the rear of 120 feet, 



15 feet wide ; built of red free, or Seneca stone ; 
the base is of granite, having two flights of gran- 
ite steps, leading to the floor of colonnade, which 
has 31 large fluted columns, in style of the temple 
of Minerva Policos at Athens. (The projection at 
the west end is terminated with 6 fluted columns.) 
The whole building contains 150 apartments. It 
is the intention of Congress, some future time, to 
add two wings to this edifice, each one the length 
of the rear projection, together with the main body^ 
making 190 feet, length of wings. 

The General Land Office occupies the third story 
of this building. 

*On this site (which is on reserve, No. 1, like the State, 
War and Navy, is near the President's house,) formerly stood 
an ordinary brick building occupied for the same purpose. U 
}yas destroyed by fire March 31, 1833. 



22 DAGUERREOTYPE OE 

It is a fire-proof edifice, and built at a cost of 
$640,000. 



*The General Post Office, located on E 
street, running from 7 to 8th, west, is of Grecian 
architecture, built of New York marble. It was 
commenced May 25, 1839. Its length from east 
to west is 204 feet ; the wings on 7 and 8th streets 
are each 102 feet ; depth of centre 60, forming a 
hollow square in the rear of 100 feet in width, built 
of granite. The centre of each front is ornamented 
with 4 fluted columns of marble. The windows of 
the 2nd story come down to the floor, and each 
floor contains 26 rooms, all arched and made fire- 
proof. The building proper, rests on a rustic 
basement, making 3 stories. It is considered a 
beautiful edifice of the Grecian order,, and shews 
well at a distance. Its cost was $450,000. 



State Department, War Department, and 
Navy Department, are but ordinary brick build- 
ings, two stories above the basement, which is 
built of free-stone, fire proof; the dimensions of 
each building are nearly the same, that of the War 
Department being 130 feet long by 60 wide. The 
War and State both have a portico, facing north, 

* The old building on this site was commenced for a city 
Hotel, but never completed ; soon after the late war, this 
building was occupied by the two houses of Congress for a 
short time, in consequence of the destruction of the Capitol 
by the British ; and afterwards by the General and City 
Post Offices, Patent Office and Library of Congress. The 
Capitol being rebuilt, the Library was removed to it in 1818. 
The General Post Office continued to occupy it till its de- 
struction by fire December 15th, 1836, after which the pre- 
sent marble fire-proof edifice was erected, 



WASHINGTON. 23 

of the Ionic order. In each also, there is a hall 
running the whole length of the buildings, having 
offices on each side for the accommodation of" 
Clerks of the several Departments, and are all 
located near the President's house, and surrounded' 
by neat iron fences, the grounds of which are orna- 
mented with numerous shade trees. 



The Patent Office. — The corner stone of this 
noble edifice was laid September 7, 1836, and 
stands on a reservation between 7th and 9th streets,, 
west, and F and G streets, north. The body 
building as it now is, is 270 feet long ; breadth of 
centre 127 feet ; width at the ends, 70 feet, two 
lofty stories high above the basement, built of free- 
stone ; the base of rough granite. The edifice is 
entered from F street by a flight of 28 steps lead- 
ing to the broad platform of the portico, which is 
studded with double rows of fluted columns, 16 in 
number, of the Doric order, 18 feet in circumfer- 
ence. The spaces between the windows are orna- 
mented with pilasters of the same material as the 
Doric pillars t , (free-stone.) The roof is very flat, 
and covered with copper; from its top a most splen- 
did panoramic view presents itself. It was built at 
a cost of $417,000. We enter the eastern door of 
the basement into a broad passage running the 
whole length of the building, through which large 
wheeled machines may be drawn. On each side 
of this passage are rooms for the deposite of fuel 
and heavy models, &c. In the centre commences 
a semi-circular stone staircase, consisting of two 
flights of steps, which continue to the upper story.. 
The floor, as we enter from the portico is pretty 
much after the pattern of the basement floor, where 
are stored smaller patent models in the icest half, 
while the east is occupied as offices for the Commis- 



24 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

sioner of Patents, Clerks, Examiners, Draughts- 
men, &c. The models in the west half are neatly- 
arranged in glass cases, so as to be examined ; but 
the most magnificent room in this building is the 
upper story, which was intended for an exhibition 
room of the various specimens of American manu- 
facture. The room takes up the whole building, 
and a better one for this object, probably could not 
be constructed. Standing at one extremity, and 
looking down to the other, through a long vista, 
26'5 feet, the view is beautiful indeed. On each 
side is a double row of stone columns, 48 in num- 
ber, supporting a succession of brick arches, finely 
proportioned. The floor is paved with tesselated 
stone. The columns and stone-work are painted 
white. The apartment is well lighted from the 
sides, ends, and by means of a lantern window in 
the roof. At present, this hall is occupied by the 
National Institute, (for the ivant of one devoted to 
■its purposes) permitted by the Secretary of State, 
as the depository of Zoological, Botanical, Mineralo- 
gical and other specimens, most of which were sent 
in by the United States Exploring Expedition. The 
•specimens of curiosity are generally enclosed in 
glass cases, a row of high cases each side, and one 
of table cases down the centre. On the south side, 
near the centre of this hall stands a case, part of 
which is occupied for the deposite of curiosities 
which once belonged to General Washington. The 
coat, vest and pants he wore when he resigned hie 
commission at Annapolis, December 23, 1783. — 
Sword, spurs, cooking utensils, tea set, medicine 
and camp chest, and a part of the tent that covered 
his head from the pelting storm ; also, some of his 
old family furniture ; and there is a gold headed 
•cane which was presented him by the good and 
•patriotic Dr. Franklin, 



WASHINGTON. 25 

At the east end of this -hall stands the identical 
press that Franklin worked on, when a journeyman 
printer. Thus the hall is rendered a place of great 
curiosity and usefulness to all seekers after knowl- 
edge ; it is of free access to all without charge. 
This has already become the nucleus of a large and 
magnificient National Museum- 
It has been said by a traveling lecturer, that this 
edifice approaches the nearest to Grecian architec- 
ture of any other building in America. 

There is now in course of erection two wings of 
marble, one on 7th street, the other on 9th street, 
running from F to G ; in time another will be 
erected on G street, to intersect with the ends of the 
two wine's, leaving; a court in the centre. 



Smithsonian Institute derives its name from 
James Smithson, Esq., of England, who made a 
conditional will of his property, viz ^ 

He directed that the income of his property (af- 
ter deducting some small annuities) should be paid 
to his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, during 
his life, and that the property itself should descend 
to his children, if he had any, absolutely and for- 
ever. "In case of the death of my said nephew 
without leaving a child, or children, or of the 
death of the child or children he may have had, 
under the age of 21 years, or intestate, I then 
bequeath the whole of my property (subject to the 
annuity of 100 pounds to John Fitall, and for the 
security and payment of which, I mean stock to 
remain in this country,) to the United States of 
America, to found at Washington, under the name of 
the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the 
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 
Such, are said to be the words of the will, and the 



26 DAGrERUEOTTPE OF 

only words of Smilhson which have come to us 
relating- to this remarkable bequest. He was never 
in America, had no friends or acquaintances here, 
and no sentence among- his papers, no recollection 
of his associates shows that he made our country 
an object of special thought and study. 

We can only suppose it was to perpetuate his 
name as a friend of science and learning, that he 
made this noble and very grateful bequest. He 
was son of the Duke of Northumberland, was edu- 
cated at Oxford. In 1787, he was elected a Fellow 
of the Royal Society, (the year after taking his 
Master's degree.) To the "Philosophical Trans- 
actions," he contributed eight valuable papers; He 
was an associate of most of the eminent men of 
science in his day. He devoted much of his atten- 
tion to the study of Chemistry. He was amiable, 
and of unassuming manners. He died at Genoa, 
June 27th. 1839; at the time of his death, his 
property amounted to about 120,000 pounds ster- 
ling. 

Young Hungerford died at Pisa, June 5th, 1835, 
without issue, and thus the claim of the United 
States was made good, the particulars were com- 
municated to our government, and Congress passed 
a bill, authorizing the President to appoint an 
agent to prosecute, in the Court of Chancery of 
England, the right of the United States to the 
bequest. 

The Hon. Richard Rush, of Philadelphia, Mas 
appointed agent for the United States. He pro- 
ceeded to England -. instituted a suit, in the Court 
o{ Chancery, obtained the fund, and paid it into 
the Treasury of the United States in Sept. 1838. 
Thus a period of about nine years had elapsed 
since the deatli of the donor. At this time the 
fund amounted to Solo. 169. Aug, 10th, 1846, 



WASHINGTON. 27 

Congress passed an act establishing the Smithsonian 
Institution. 

This edifice is a noble structure in the later 
Norman or Lombard style, built on the reserve 
called the mall, between 7th and 12th streets west, 
and B street north and B street south, about nine- 
teen acres devoted to its purpose. (It is to be 
hoped that all the reserve between 7th and 14th 
streets, will yet be assigned to it, in order to ex- 
tend the usefulness of the Institution.) The corner 
stone was laid May 1st, 1847. It consists of a 
centre and two wings united by connecting ranges. 
Its whole length is 447 feet, and greatest breadth 
132 feet. It is adorned with nine towers, the 
highest of which is 145 feet. 

The central portion of the building on the first 
floor contains a Library room 134 feet by 50, di- 
vided into alcoves, which are crossed by galleries, 
and a hall for philosophical apparatus 65 feet by 
50, The second story contains the Museum, 200 
feet by 50. This is divided into three aisles, the 
central being 40 feet high. The eastern v u 
mostly devoted to the lecture room, and capable of 
accommodating from 800 to 1000 persons. 

The eastern range contains laboratories, work- 
shops^, rooms for apparatus, offices, &c. 

The ivestern reiwg and range contain galleries of art, 
one of which will be used as a reading room. 
Beneath, are rooms for unpacking books, and other 
purposes of the Library. When finished, and 
properly decorated, it will present a very gor- 
geous and massive edifice of red senecaor free-stone. 
The grounds will be decorated with numerous 
shade and ornamental trees, shrubbery, &c. 

The whirling wheels are to the Chariot hung. 
Let Smitiisoirs name throughout the land be rung. 



28 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

The United States Observatory^ — Situated on 
reservation No. 4 between 23d and 25th streets west, 
near Georgetown, on what is called Camp-hill, 
near a mile west of the President's House, is well 
worthy of a visit. This institution comes under 
naval order, and belongs to the Navy Department. 
From this department ships and other vessels are 
supplied with Nautical Instruments and books, 
also Maritime Charts, when about starting out on 
a voyage at sea. Land surveying instruments are 
also kept here. This building was erected under 
President Tyler's administration. From the top 
is afforded a view of great extent and interest, un- 
obstructed, embracing the City of Washington, 
Georgetown, the Potomac River, and the surround- 
ing country for many miles. Washington Fort, 
16 miles below on the Maryland shore, is very 
distinctly seen from this place. The grounds are 
enclosed with a substantial brick wall, and are to 
be beautifully ornamented. The Building is 50 
feet square, two stories high, surmounted with a 
moveable dome, which covers the large Equatorial 
Telescope. There are east, south, and west wings, 
which contain the Meridian and Prime Vertical In- 
struments. It is at present under the superinten- 
dence of Lieut. Maury. 



The Washington National Monument — Is 
situated on reservation No. 3 west of 15th street, 
on what is called the western point of the Island 
south of the Washington canal. It commands a 
good view of the Potomac above and below. The 
corner stone was laid July 4th, 1848, with appro- 
priate honors. The base of the pantheon is to be 
250 feet in diameter. The height, 100 feet. Height 



WASHINGTON,, 23 1 

of obelisk 500 feet. The base is of granite, the 
obelisk of white marble from Maryland, near 
Baltimore. It is a square column. It will be as- 
cended by a flight of spiral steps on the inside,, 
where, in going up,, may be seen the specimens of 
sculptured stone,, from every State in the Union, 
which grace its inner surface. Some of these 
stone blocks are donations from States, having in- 
scribed on them as mottoes, the seals of their State ; 
others are donations from Societies, and individuals, 
bearing various mottoes; when done, the pantheon 
may be ascended with horse and vehicle. 

It is well Congress has seen fit to erect a 
Monument to the memory of Washington ! 

" Blest Washington ! is the grateful sound, 
From age to age, the World will echo round ! 
And every future tongue that speaks his name, 
Will brighten the hours with his growing fain';." 



What is now called the Congressional Burial. 
Ground,. was originally called the "Washington 
Parish Burial Ground," and first projected in 
1807, by a number of the eastern section resi- 
dents, of various denominations.. After the amount 
expended in the purchase of the land, and the 
improvements which had been made,, was reim- 
bursed,, the cemetery was placed under the di- 
rection of tha vestry of Christ church. It is situ- 
ated about a mile and a half east of the Capitol r 
and contains about ten acres surrounded by a brick 
wall, with three gateways. The Cemetery is laid 
out with avenues and walks, the sides of which,, 
with the family enclosures, are ornamented with 
trees and shrubbery ; here, is the tree of heaven, the 
weeping willow, the elm, the cedar, and the fir, the 
arbor vitas, calieanthus, myrtle, and the rose.. 



30 DAGUERREOTYPE OP 

Many a mouldering heap may be seen (where re- 
pose the bodies of the dead) over which the green 
grass grows, and trees and shrubbery spring into 
verdant beauty. Here lies the Statesman, the 
■Orator, and Warrior ; here also repose the mer- 
chant, the mechanic, and the peasant ; here repose 
the illustrious and the obscure ; and all that beauty 
or worth ever gave, alike are crumbling into dust, 
and mingling with the common element from 
which they sprang. 

" How populous, how vital is the grave ! 
This is creation's melancholy vault ; 
The vale funereal, the sad cypress gloom, 
The land of apparitions, empty shades ; 
All, all on earth is shadow." 

In this cemetery, and ranging in lines, are four 
rows of monuments, built of white free-stone, 
nearly a square block, with four pannels each, on 
one of which is engraved, in black letters, the 
name, age, period of death &c, of the deceased, 
and topped with a low pyramid, the whole painted 
white. These are erected by the Government to 
the memory of such members of Congress as have 
died, and been buried at the public expense. 

Congress has erected a public receiving vault, on 
one of the main avenues, for the reception of the 
dead for whom graves might not have been pre- 
pared : its front is built of free-stone, the door of 
iron, a beautiful iron fence surrounds it, the area 
within the railing is ornamented with beautiful 
shrubs, and evergreens. The bodies in this vault, 
may be kept for two months, when they must be 
removed. This is a beautiful spot and has been 
made very romantic by artificial means. It com- 
mands a fine view of the surrounding country, and 
•of the river Anacostia, which flows at a short dis- 



WASHINGTON. 31 

tance east of it ; and, in a calm summer's evening, 
when the water is still and placid, reflects from its 
polished bosom the beautiful landscape from the 
opposite shore. Here also, are several splendid 
and costly monuments erected to the memory of 
distinguished men — men, high in authority ; but, 

11 The paths of glory lead but to the grave." 
A writer has said, " here rests, too, the body of 
the Indian warrior, whose last wish was that the 
big guns might be fired over him, to waft his spirit 
in triumph to the region where wander the souls of 
his fathers. " Pushmataha's wish was gratified, and 
a tomb has been erected over his body to indicate 
that he was the friend of the white man. This 
brave son of the forest died as he had lived — the 
lofty and fearless warrior ; and like Outallassi, he 

" Would not stain with grief 

The death-song of an Indian chief." 

All, all finally will find a resting place in the 
bosom of our common mother earth. 
What a sure leveler is death ! but, 

" Were death denied, poor man would live in vain ; 
Were death denied, to live would not be life ; 
Were death denied, e'en fools would wish to die." 

We feel, in looking around us that all is indeed 
vanity ; and that soon, even amid our dreams, and 
shadows, (which are but the realities of life) we 
must quit all that renders life desirable, and sink- 
ing into the grave, become a kneaded clod, a 
mouldering heap of ashes. Thus man in all his 
greatness, glory and power, is but a mass of living 
corruption — meteors, that blaze for a moment, and 
then disappear forever in the long night of death ; 
to this " savor all must come at last." The grave 
is man's last resting place ; there terminate the joys 
and sorrow's, the hopes and fears, the cares and 
pleasures of his earthly existence. 
3 



32 DAGUERREOTYPE OF 

But one consolation still remains — 

" An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave, 
Legions of angels can't confine me there." 



The other public places are the Navy Yard and 
Jlrsenal ; the former is about one mile east of the 
Capitol, on the Anacostia branch. Here, chains and 
anchors are made for the largest class of Govern- 
ment ships ; and lately there has been erected a 
foundry where may be moulded the heaviest cast- 
ings necessary for Government use. TJie latter is 
about one mile south of the Capitol on Greenleaf's 
Point. It is surrounded on three sides by water, 
and presenting a fine appearance from the opposite 
shores; here are located buildings for offices, work- 
shops, store-houses, magazines, &c. 



The Penitentiary, for the lawless, adjoining 
the Arsenal grounds, is a brick building, contain- 
ing cells for convicts, four tiers high, of free stone, 
with strong iron doors. The dwelling apartment 
joins the main building and fronts east, looking 
out over the Potomac river, the premises are sur- 
rounded (with the exception of the front door) 
with high brick walls. 

Just in the gate, 
Revengeful care, and sullen sorrows dwell, 
Deep was the crime, and downward is the flight 
Of those whose recess, a gloomy wall defends. 



Public buildings belonging to the City are, first, 
the 

City Hall, which stands on an eminence at the 
junction of Indiana and Louisiana avenues, reserve 



WASHINGTON. 33 

No. 9, and called Judiciary square. This is a 
large commodious edifice of excellent proportions, 
of the Roman Ionic order: when finished, will be 
about 245 feet in length from east to west; the 
wings which form two projections each side of the 
main building 166 feet from north to south, 47 feet 
in height, length of granite pavement between the 
wings, front side, 150 feet, width 61 feet, number of 
Ionic columns wmich stud the portico, 6 front, 3 deep, 
making 18: on the north side is to be a semi-cir- 
cular colonnade with 20 columns, and a flight of semi- 
circular steps leading to the entrance. For beauty 
and architectural design, it cannot be said but that 
the citizens of Washington have one building, over 
which they can boast with exultation, not inferior 
to any in the City. 

Then there is the City Post Office, on 7th street, 
between E and F — 

The County Jail, on reserve No. 9, built in the 
Gothic style of architecture, three stories high, 
and stained to resemble granite ; four Markets, 
and six Engine houses. 

Odd Fellows' Hall, situated on 7th street, is 
a large and convenient edifice, being three stories 
high; it has two large stores in the basement story, 
a hall on the 2d floor, the whole bigness of the 
building, being 40 feet front, 90 feet deep. On the 
3d floor, are halls for the meeting of the several 
Lodges, whose property it is. 

Odd Fellowship was first introduced into the 
United States, at Baltimore April 19, 1819. The 
first Lodge was named Washington Lodge, in 
honor of the Father of American liberty ; its 
wheels have rolled from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
Ocean. 

Friendship ! Js nsrtr's best friend, 
Love ! will open anus extend, 
.And truth ! like friendship and like 
Love, will ever faithful prove. 



APPENDIX. 

VICINITY OF WASHINGTON. 



Georgetown — three miles west of the Capitol, 
is at the head of navigation on the Potomac river, 
and a port of entry ; formerly a large amount of 
business was done there in the Flour trade ; at 
present it is very limited ; they have one large cotton 
factory ; one iron foundry and rolling mill (the first 
I think, established in this country.) Here is a 
Roman Catholic College and Nunnery, and Obser- 
vatory attached, all of which command a fine view 
of the surrounding country, and lately has been 
erected a very fine, large City Hall. From George- 
town heights, we have an unobstructed view of the 
Ohio and Chesapeake Canal, the aqueduct and 
bridge across the Potomac, the city of Washington 
and the country around, which lays like an amphi- 
theatre, hemed with a circle of mountains, and the 
meanderings of the beautiful Potomac as far as the 
eye can reach, as its waters are wending its way to 
the Chesapeake Bay. 



Alexandria is located eight miles south of the 
Capitol on Virginia shore, and was once a place of 
considerable importance for its commercial advan- 
tages ; the river allowing the largest class of vessels 
to enter her harbor. The river has been much 
ed by washings from a$ove. 

Ar/impetus has recently >\>z-m made to revive the 



APPENDIX. 35 

trade of this once flourishing place, by clearing out 
the canal, and starting a rail-road to run from Al- 
exandria to , forming a direct communi- 
cation with the west, and northern Lakes. It was 
here that General Braddock, in 1755, organized his 
army for the west, when he was sent out by the 
British government with a body of troops to act 
against the French on the Ohio. He was joined by 
the provincials under *Major Washington ; but he 
held them in utter contempt, and would not listen to 
the advice of their sagacious leader respecting the 
mode of carrying on a war in the woods of America. 
He moved on heedlessly until July 9th, when in the 
woods the war-whoop assailed their ears. The ene- 
my, unseen, poured a heavy fire on their flank; the 
soldiery were thrown into confusion; and, instead of 
trying to dislodge them from their covert, Braddock, 
as if engaged with a regular army, sought to form his 
men again, in doing which, he was mortally wound- 
ed ; the regular troops turned and fled ; the provin- 
cials formed the rear and saved them from destruc- 
tion. Washington displayed the coolness and skill 
of a veteran commander. 



Mount Vernon — eight miles below Alexandria on 
the Virginia shore, was the home of Washington ; 
there he lived and there he died ; and his remains 
are there deposited in the family tomb. It is a de- 
lightful spot, commanding a fine view of the Potomac 
arid opposite shore. The homestead is a little model 
of a family villa, beautifully laid out. The coffins 



* It will be recollected that George Washington was about 
nineteen years old when he entered the army ; at this time 
he was about twenty-three. 



36 APPENDIX. 

of both General Washington and consort are to be 
seen through the double iron gate-way which looks 
within the front part of the vault. Over the gate is 
inscribed the following words, and situation of the 

same. 

WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE 
RESTS 

the remains of 
Gen'l George Washington. 



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